Climate change experts from SCS Engineers regularly work with members of the Meat Institute’s Sustainability Committee; this article highlights their experiences and the value and impact of their collaborative efforts on sustainability practices in the meat industry. You’ll find free educational resources on Scope 3 Emissions reporting for Meat Institute members, along with SCS resources open to all, following the article.
Experience and Rewards of Participation
Victoria Evans, MS, describes the most rewarding aspect of participating in the Meat Institute Sustainability Committee as the opportunity to engage directly with member companies, deepening her understanding of sustainability priorities and challenges in the meat industry. The monthly meetings facilitate meaningful discussions on critical topics such as greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, Scope 3 emissions, and evolving climate disclosure requirements. A significant focus has been on regulatory requirements, such as California SB 253 for corporate-wide GHG reporting and SB 261 for climate-related financial risk disclosures, which begin in 2026. These discussions help SCS consultants better support Meat Institute members and stay aligned with the industry’s needs.
Notable Contributions
Victoria highlights a particular achievement: leading three educational sessions on Scope 3 emissions that involve detailed GHG accounting specific to the meat sector. This role has strengthened connections and fostered deeper conversations within the industry, supporting the Meat Institute’s Protein PACT initiative to reduce the environmental footprint of meat and poultry production.
Value and Encouragement for Committee Involvement
Aicha Slassi Senou, PhD, emphasizes the committee’s role as a unique forum for knowledge sharing among industry leaders, sustainability professionals, and technical experts. She notes it offers a collaborative environment to openly discuss challenges, exchange ideas, and learn from each other’s experiences. This is especially important as sustainability expectations and climate reporting requirements continue to evolve. She sees the value of how the committee accelerates progress by fostering collective effort and shared learning.
Reasons to Join the Meat Institute Sustainability Committee
Aicha encourages others to participate because the committee keeps members informed about emerging sustainability issues, such as climate reporting and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which are expected to continue to grow in importance. The Committee provides insights into regulatory initiatives, policy developments, and GHG accounting methodologies led by the Meat Institute. She cites how participation allows members to learn from peers, contribute to meaningful discussions, and advance the sector collectively. The relationships and practical knowledge you gain make involvement a valuable investment, regardless of where a firm is in its sustainability journey.
Scope 3 Recordings Are Available to Meat Institute Members Along With These Free Educational SCS Resources:
SCS Resources
The Meat Institute Sustainability Committee brings together people from across the meat industry to share ideas and work on practical ways to reduce environmental impact and communicate progress. By meeting regularly, the group tackles challenges, develops useful tools, and encourages better practices that protect the environment while keeping the industry strong and profitable.
Victoria Evans, MS, is SCS’s National Climate Change Practice Leader and One of our National Experts on Greenhouse Gas. She has over four decades of experience in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), energy, air quality, and the environment. She has over 25 years of experience in climate and GHG management, having directed or performed over 300 GHG studies for US and global corporations and government organizations. Her experience includes developing voluntary and mandatory GHG inventories and reporting, California Cap-and-Trade compliance strategies, carbon-reduction roadmaps, and life-cycle analyses. She has led regulatory and legislative analyses on carbon and energy for landmark initiatives and has advised on developing GHG reporting rules and protocols for carbon offset projects.
Aicha Slassi Senou, PhD, is a GHG and sustainability expert in GHG accounting, decarbonization planning, and life cycle assessments. She has successfully delivered over 30 third-party-verified Corporate GHG Inventories for scopes 1, 2, and 3, addressing auditors’ technical questions on data collection and calculations, in alignment with the WRI GHG Protocol’s Corporate Standards and ISO 14064-1. She manages corporate climate and GHG projects, including GHG inventories and climate disclosures (reporting to the Science Based Targets Initiative and CDP), creating sector-specific decarbonization strategies (including value chain engagement for Fortune 50 manufacturers), and net-zero road mapping for multiple clients.
Contact the experts at SCS Engineers for more information.
